WILKINS EXPEDITION - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

The WILKINS EXPEDITION, led by British major John Wilkins in Nov. 1763, has frequently been erroneously identified as having foundered off ROCKY RIVER and Lakewood Park. Actually, this expedition, which was intended to relieve Ft. Detroit under siege by the Indians of Pontiac's Rebellion, followed the north shore and foundered off Pointe-aux-Pins, Canada, with the loss of 70 men, 20 bateaux, and much supplies and ammunition. This Canadian location is confirmed in the journal of Capt. JOHN MONTRESOR† and overrides previous conjecture based on circumstantial evidence, mainly the large number of artifacts found near Rocky River from BRADSTREET''S DISASTER of 1764 and the concept of Pointe-aux-Pins being a generic description rather than a specific geographic location.

Marsalek, Daniel E. "The Wilkins Expedition Disaster Site Debate," Inland Seas Magazine (1983).

Webster, J. C. Life of John Montresor (1928).

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